Spherical air compressor



Sept- 20, 1949. o. N. DAVIS 2,482,325

SPHEIRICAL AIR COMPRESSOR 2 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 25. 1947 IN V ENTOR.

Oscar N. Dav/s BY Attorney Sept. 20, 1949. DAVIS SPHERICAL AIRCOMPRESSOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 25, 1947 INVEN TOR. Oscar N.Dav/s Alla/hey Patented Sept. 20, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEsrnnnrcar. AIB comnnsson Oscar Newton Davis, Wichita, Kans. ApplicationSeptember 23, 1941, Serial No. 775,592 2 Claims. (Cl. 230-142) Thisinvention relates generally to the class of compressors and is directedparticularly to an improved form of spherical compressor having as aprincipal object to provide a machine of this type. of high efliciencywhich will operate at a speed range ,in the class of industrialmachinery and which will give a volumetric and pressure capac itysuitable to industrial uses and also suitable for supplying air underpressure for gas turbines.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel improved sphericalair compressor which is of a design to combine rotary motion andvolumetric displacement.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an air compressorof'the type described em: ploying partitioning vanes between twocoacting rotary elements, wherein the construction is such that thevanes, which rotate with th rotary elements, do not drag upon thesurrounding outer surface whereby friction and wear are reduced.

Another and more specific object of the invention is to provide aspherical air compressor employing two rotating bodies having conicalfaces, said bodies being supported for rotation on obtusely angled axeswith the conical faces contacting, a spherical body forming the centerof the structure and carrying a plurality of hingedly connected pairs ofvanes slidably extended into recesses formed in the conical faces of therotating bodies, an air intake means being provided at one side of thecontacting portions of the conical surfaces and an air exhaust meansbeing provided upon the opposite side of the contacting surfaces.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of thefollowing detailed description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings forming a part of the specification, with the understanding,however, that the invention is not to be limited to the exact details ofconstruction shown and described since obvious modifications will occurto a person skilled in the art.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a spherical air compressorconstructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical section through the compressor structure taken inthe plane of the shafts, the line of section being indicated upon Figure3 on the line 3-4.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-3 ofFigure 2.

Figure 4 is a view in elevation of the rotor unit showing in associationtherewith one only of the vane units.

Figure 5 is a view in elevation of the central bearing ball of therotor, showing in connection therewith one only of the vane units inelevation.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings the numeral i0 generallydesignates the housing for the compressor which, as shown, issubstantially of spherical form and is made up of the opposite endsections II and I2 and the central section II.

Each of the end sections constitutes a chordal section of a hollowsphere, the outer side of which, or the side of smallest diameter, beingclosed by an inwardly extending conical wall, such wall for the endsection I I being designated l4 and for the end section i2 beingdesignated l5. Formed integral with the wall It is the axle hub ithaving at the inner and outer ends of the bore II, the bearing units l8.

The wall 15 likewise has a. central hub l9 and at the inner and outerends of the bore 20 thereof are the bearing units 2 l The inner edges orperipheries of the endsecportion of a hollow sphere; which is cut orformed so that the planes of the opposite side edges are in convergentrelation as is mostclearly seen in Figure 1. Also this central sectionis divided into two parts for ease of manufacture and assembly of themachine, such parts being designated Ha.

Thus it will be seen that when the sections of the housing are assembledthe centers of the hub bores will form an obtuse angle as shown mostclearly in Figure 2.

At one side of the rotor housing a part |3a of the central section isprovided with an air inlet pipe or nozzle 25 and the wall of this partl3a from which the inlet pipe or nozzle 25 extends is suitably enlargedor extended outwardly as shown in Figure 3, above and below the inletpipe 25, to provide the air receiving chamber 36, the wall of which iseccentric to the housing so that such chamber gradually enlarges from alow point to the inlet 25 and then gradually decreases in size to a highpoint when the rotor unit is in place within the housing.

At the opposite side of the plane of the meeting edges of the twoportions I3a from the air inlet pipe 25, the other part |3a is outwardlyenlarged in the narrow or tapered end thereof as indicated at 21 andformed to provide anair outlet conduit 20 which at its two ends opens 3into the housing through the ports 29 and 30 and.

at the narrowest end of the central section part it opens outwardlythrough the discharge or outlet pipe 3 I.

At the end of the conduit 28 opposite from the outlet port 30 there issecured in the enlargement 21 a removable valve unit carrying plug 32.This plug has the inwardly directed tubular extension 33 in which isreciprocably mounted the stem 34 of a poppet type valve 35 which is vadapted to seat in the outlet port 30, the edge of which port is taperedas shown to provide a seat for the valve. A spring element 36 housed inthe enlarged outer end portion of the tubular extension 33 engages theouter end of the valvestem 34 and is held under compression by thesecuring screw 31, whereby the valve 35 is normally firmly pressedinwardly to close the port 30. 1 4

As shown most clearly in Figure 2 the inside diameter of each of the endsections is greater than the inside diameter of the central orintermediate section. The purpose for this will be set forth inconnection with the description of the rotor which is mounted in thehousing.

The numeral 38 generally designates the complete rotor which is enclosedwithin the housing I. This rotor comprises the two circular bodies 39and 40 each of which is of circular form and has the spaced parallelperimeters 4| and 42 of different diameters, joined by the curved sidewall 43.

At the side of greatest diameter each body has a frusto-conical wall 44in the center of the frustum of which is formed a socket 45.

Each of the bodies 39 between the planes of '1 the perimeters 4| and 42constitutes a chordal section of a sphere, the dimensions of one portion39 being exact duplicates of those of the other portion so that when thetwo portions 'of the rotor unit are placed together the radii of thespherical surfaces 43 will be the same.

Each part 39 of the rotor unit has an axial outwardly directed hub 46and the hub of the portion 39 has fixed therein an end of a shaft 41 bywhich power is delivered to the compressor while the hub of the part 49has a stub shaft 48 secured therein.

As shown the shaft 41 extends outwardly through the hub it of thehousing while the shaft 48 extends into the hub l9 of the housing andwhen the rotor parts 39 and 40 are in position in the housing theconical faces 44 thereof will be in contact along a narrow line 49 whichlies in the plane of the meeting edges of thetwo parts I3a of thecentral section and is in the portion of the housing adjacent to andbetween the convergent edges of the central section. Accordingly it willbe understood that theline of contact between the conical faces 44 01'the rotor parts 39 and 40 will be just past the outlet port 29 when therotor unit is turning counter-clockwise as viewed in Figure 3 and fromthis line of contact as the rotor turns. the space between the conicalfaces of the two parts 39 and 40 will gradually increase in width and beat its maximum at the diametrically opposite side of the center of therotor.

Each of the rotor parts 33 and 40 has formedtherein a series of radialslots 50 each of which opens into a substantially semi-circular channel5| formed in the conical face or wall 44 of the part. These slots 50operate in pairs in association with vane units each of which isdesignated 52.

Interposed between the centers of the rotor 4 parts 39 and 40 andseating in the sockets 45 is a centering sphere 53. This sphere hasformed therein, in a circular order therearound, the tapped bores 54.

Each of the vane units 52 comprises two substantially triangular vaneblades 55 and a pintle 56. Each of these pintles isreduced and screwthreaded at one end as indicated at 51 for threaded engagement in a bore54 and the vane blades 55 of each pair have the interconnecting hingeknuckles 58 through which a pintle 53 extends whereby to maintain theblades in assem-- bled relation thereon.

The blades 55' at their outer ends are longitudinally curved asindicated at 55a to conform with the imaginary sphere to which the twoparts 39 and 40 conform and to fit, with the parts 39 and 40, snuglyagainst the inside spherical surface of the central section part l3aopposite to that part through which the air intake pipe 25 opens.

As previously stated the interior diameters of the end sections II andI2 are greater than the interior diameter of the central section l3 andsince the major portion of the curved surface of each rotor part isencircled by or enclosed by an end section, it will be seen that thereremains an encircling chamber 59 around the major part of the peripheryof each rotor part. There is also accordingly formed a face or shoulder60 which is a part of the central section and which forms one wall ofthe chamber 59 which encircles the adjacent rotor part inwardly slightlyfrom the perimeter 4| thereof.

Encircling each of the rotor parts 39 and 40 and covering the majorportion of the curved surface 43 thereof is a sealing band 3|. This bandtightly closes the outer ends of the blade slots 50 and at its inneredge it is provided with a flange 60a which has sealing contact with theshoulder 60. Thus means is provided for preventing the escape of airunder pressure by way of the vane Slots 50.

In the operation of the present compressor, rotary power is applied tothe shaft 41 and if such rotation is counter-clockwise the rotor part 39will be seen to turn in a counter-clockwise direction when viewed as inFigure 3. The entire rotor. unit consisting of the two parts 39 and 40and the vane units 52 and ball 53 will rotate together.

As the vane units pass the line of contact between the conical walls orsurfaces 44 the space between such walls will gradually enlarge aspreviously described and the vane blades will be gradually withdrawnfrom the slots 50. Accordingly the constantly increasing space betweenthe conical wall surfaces 44 will be divided into constantly enlargingpockets or receiving areas for air entering the inlet pipe 25. As eachvane reaches the point or position where it is diametrically oppositefrom the line of contact between the conical wall surfaces, the chamberor pocket designated P will be enlarged to maximum capacity also thecurved top edges of the vane blades will now'be in contact throughoutthe extent of such edges with the rounded inner surface of the centralportion or section l3 of the housing so that-the air pocket will becompletely closed. As such vane continuesto move around in the directionindicated by the arrow in Figure 3 the width of the pocket willgradually decrease due to the drawing together of the conical wallsurfaces 44, thereby compressing the air in the pocket. Compression ofthe air now continues tothe rotation before the contactline I! isreached,

. where the reduction of volume desired has been attained, the dischargeport 29 is provided so that the air may be Squeezed out through thisoutlet as the conical surfaces come together. 1

In order that added power will not be consumed while the dischargepressure is being brought up,

the valve 35 is provided which permits the pressure to be equalizedbetween the constantly decreasing size of the air pocket and thedischarge port. At the line 48 where the conical surfaces of the rotorparts come together the compression cycle is completed and a new cyclestarts. Thus by the provision of the series of pockets in the rotatingspherical body a constant uniform flow of air under pressure isdelivered to the outlet nozzle 3|.

The sealing rings ii are accurately machined and rotate in closeproximity to the central section of the housing, as previously stated,in order to prevent air under pressure from escaping from the pockets. Afurther seal may be provided by allowing oil to be thrown out bycentrifugal force around the rotor unit in the chambers 59 where thesealing rings are located, where a small portion of the oil will enterthe space or clearance between the rotor and the housing. Sufficient oilwill pass through to provide lubrication for the various working partsand at the same time will retard the leakage of air. Y

Because of the fact that all points'are an equal distance from the axisof rotation, the rotor is in perfect balance and any desired rotativespeed may be used. vAlso by this means high efficiency will be attainedat nearly all speeds and pressures. By providing the hinge in the,center of the vane unit the necessary change of angle between 6 clingchamber between the members and the wall of the spherical member, and asealing band en- 1 circling each of said members and having a radialedge face contacting a portion of the chamber housing which encirclesthe rotor members to form a seal between a peripheral portion of theadjacent member and the wall of the housing chamber against which saidportion of the chamber contacts.

2. A compressor of the character described, comprising a housing formedto provide a substantially spherical chamber having an inlet and anoutlet, said housing comprising a central circular wall portion havingconvergent sides whereby such portion has a wedge form and two circularend portions eaeh'positioned against one side of the central portion,the inside diameter of said central portion being materially less thantheinside diameters of the end portionswhereby each side of the centralportionpresents an exposed edge face located within the chamber, a rotorunit in the chamber comprising two circular bodies each having spacedparallel perimeters of different diameters joined by an outwardly curvedwall face and a frusto-conical wall upon the side of greater diameter,the outside diameters of the members being approximately equal to theinside diameter of the housing central portion, the said curved wallfaces of the rotor bodies conforming to the curvature of the insidesurface of the central portion, the i'rusto-conical walls of the vaneblades is permitted andthe hinge pin also provides necessary attachingmeans between the blades and the central ball 53.

I claim: 1. A compressor of the character stated comprising asubstantially spherical housing chamber having an inlet and an outlet, arotor unit in the chamber comprising two circular bodies each havingspaced parallel perimeters of different diameters Joined by an outwardlycurved wall face to conform to the spherical coverage of the chamber inwhich it is fitted and a frusto-conical wall upon the side of greatestdiameter, each of said frusto-conical walls having an apical socket,said members being supported for rotation on obtusely angled axes withsaid frusto-oonical walls substantially contacting on a line positionedbetween the said inlet and outlet, a spherical body interposed betweenthe frusto-conical walls and positioned in said sockets, said membershaving radial slots therein opening through the frustoconical walls,vane blades positioned in said slots and pivotally coupled with saidspherical body forturningon'a'xesextendingradiallyofthe chamber betweenthefrmto-conical walls, means for applying driving power to one memberto effect rotation of the rotor unit. the said sphericalehamberbeingolaninteriordiameterarmmdthemaiorportionsofthetwomembemgreaterthanjthcdiameterortbememb'crstoformanencirthe bodies being in opposedrelation, a shaft passing centrally through each end portion of thehousing and secured to the center of each body whereby the bodies rotateon obtusely angled axes with said frusto-conic'al walls s ubstantiallycontacting on a radial line positioned between said inlet and outlet,each of said rotor bodies having a minor portion of its curved wallsurface within and contacting the inside surface of said centralportion, coacting pairs of radial slots in said bodies and openingthrough the. said frusto-con ical walls, pairs of vane blades betweensaid frusto-conical walls and slidably engaging in the coacting slots,each pair of blades being hingedly Joined to pivot on a radial axis, anda sealing band encircling and carried upon the curved wall face of eachrotor body and having tight sliding contact with the'adiacent one of thesaid exposed edge faces of the central portion.

OSCAR NEWTON DAVIS.

asrmtrmcss c1ran The following references are of record in'the file ofthis patent: I

UNITED STATE PA'IIN'I'B H363 m u"...- Jane 2, 1939

